The Shakespearean-trained actress made her screen debut as the religious and erotically obsessed Beth in Lars Von Trier's Breaking the Waves (1996), for which she earned an Oscar nomination and the New York Film Critics Circle Award for best actress. Educated at Bristol University, Watson landed her first acting job with the Royal Shakesapeare Company. At age 25 she made her television debut in England's A Summer Day's Dream, opposite Sir John Gielgud. Following her role in Breaking the Waves, she starred in The Boxer (1997), with Daniel Day-Lewis, and the critically applauded Metroland. She received her second Best Actress Oscar nomination and the London Film Critics Circle Award for her role as the doomed cellist Jaqueline Du Pre in Hilary and Jackie. Other movies include Tim Robbins' Cradle Will Rock (1999), Angela's Ashes (1999), The Luzhin Defense (2000), Gosford Park (2001), and Red Dragon (2002). Watson is married to English actor Jack Waters.